The Niger State government has revealed its plans to ban the sales and consumption of alcohol in Suleja, and other eight Local Government Area of the state.
The Niger State Liquor and Licencing Board made this known in a statement signed by its secretary, Ibrahim Muhammad Bonu, in Minna on Monday, noting that the ban would commence on January 1, 2024.
The state government also revealed that some beer joints within Minna, the state capital, would be served with relocation letters to move outside the city to within an eight-kilometre radius of the post office in the state.
While he called on all vendors to abide by the relevant extant laws establishing the board. Adding that nine local government areas were on the first schedule of the prohibited areas, and Suleja happens to be among them.
According to the statement, he warned staff of the board to stay away from illegal activities and soliciting for any gratification from operators of beer parlours, saying any staff found wanting would be dealt with.
He said, “We are calling on all vendors to abide by the relevant extant laws establishing the board.”
“The law establishing the board has the mandate to control the activities of all liquor vendors in the state and therefore, nine local government areas were on the first schedule of the prohibited areas, and Suleja happens to be among them, and as such, the board will ensure strict compliance with the law,” the statement added.